Featured Artist: Aisha Ramat

How would you describe your art - in one sentence, or a short phrase.
A projection of subconscious wonders, reflections, unstudied flow of mind vomit and scrutiny of the soul.

Photo of you in your studio; or beside an art piece that you like.

One sentence to describe your studio / the place you work.
Kind of like a place of worship.

Photos of your 3 best artworks, the title and a short description.Anticipation:
Acrylic and oil on canvas, 2016.This is not a landscape painting nor it is a painting about mountains.

It is an expression overcoming anxiety, turmoil and baggage of daily life and turning them into a source of strength, fiery passion and relentless perseverance to move forward. Symbolically portrayed as rocky mountain ridges and valleys, painted on textured haphazard lines.

Pleasure in descent:
Acrylic and oil on canvas, 2016.In many cultures, water symbolizes flow of energy or represents spiritual self. As a child, my parents would often bring us to the beach closest to us for a picnic or to go camping, or fishing at Sembawang park. Went to the nearest waterfall at Kota Tinggi in Malaysia for vacations.

As an adult, always trying to have a getaway where I can see the silver lining and hear crashing of waves. Underwater, it seems like another world. Silent and at peace. And the waves, puts me in a moment of infinite peace.

In this work, the flowing water that merges in the center from two different sources, represents acceptance of circumstances. The jagged rocks etched in pen symbolize rigidity of life and the textured in background represents the scars of life, harmonized.

Blacknote
Acrylic on canvas, 2016.With experimental approach, this work is a obliterated concept of the yin and yang.

The complimentary interaction of duality; light and dark, night and day, good and bad. Done with acrylic and medium on canvas to create raised flow of black, beneath the critically applied white layer to publish a sense of balance.

This work is a visual representation of alignment.

Most memorable art commission - what was the piece about, who commissioned the art, what was the experience like.
The most memorable commissioned work I did was in 2013, for a couple's wedding. It was a last minute order; 1 week before the wedding. I usually will reject a commission order in that case, as I usually will take at least about 2 weeks to complete a painting.

I was recommended to the client by a friend of mine and fortunately, I was rather free during that period. The client send me separate pictures of her and her husband to be, at that time, and she gave me all the freedom to paint what I deem fit.

"The time to hesitate is through."

I was immediately inspired and pick up the brush forthwith. I juxtaposed both portraits, in rough brushstrokes over a black background, with impressions of blinking illumination at the horizon, from the distant ships across the dark spread of water . Their faces were highlighted so as to seem as if there is a camp fire in front of them. I finished in 5 days. And the best thing about acrylic, it dries almost instantly.

The client was very pleased with the work that she ordered more pieces for gifts, and I painted a mural on the wall of her new home this year. We became close friends.

All in all, it feels so good when someone appreciate your works as it is and giving freedom and space to the artist to create the way they can.

How you work with your clients - a short description of how you develop concepts and ideas, and collaborate with your clients.
First, I will introduce them to myself as an artist, my art so they get an idea of what my style and genre and what I can do for them. Currently,I focus more on abstract but I can paint anything. Portrait, landscape, still-life, anything that they want, but in my style. I will make this clear.

I will start with a discussion with the client on idea of the work , get to know them a little so that I can get an idea on what they like and how they like to interact with me and gain their trust. Questions I would ask are; Any specific colours they want to incorporate in the work? What is the painting for? What is their budget so that we can estimate the size suitable. What is the feel they want out of the work.

I will then create a few rough sketches or mock ups if the client has a specific idea they want to add to the work. On confirmation, and will begin getting materials and start work. Work developments will be updated through email or phone messaging so the client can view the progress.

What/who inspires you?
I am inspired by old masters like Rembrant and Vermeer, modern artists like Kandinsky, Monet, Pollock and Francis Bacon, musicians like James Morrison from The Doors, songs by the band, Muse, films like, Trainspotting, Memento, Requiem for a dream and Mr Fantastic and also some Animes like, Grave of the fireflies, Spirited away and Howl's moving castle.